Dynamic analysis of earth dams under de-noised earthquake records

In this study, dynamic behavior of earth dams with clay core was analyzed using finite element method. The seismic responses of earth dams under main and wavelet-based decomposed earthquake records were investigated. Earthquake records were decomposed up to five stages by using wavelet de-noising method. The ratio of acceleration response spectrum to maximum acceleration, ratio of velocity response spectrum to maximum velocity, ratio of displacement response spectrum to maximum displacement, Fourier amplitude spectrum and time history of Arias intensity of earth dam crest under main and wavelet-based decomposed earthquake records were analyzed. The results demonstrate that the acceleration response spectrum ratio of dam crest under de-noised records up to 3rd level and the velocity and displacement spectrum ratios of dam crest up to 4th level has an acceptable accuracy in comparison to the responses under main earthquake records. Results of dynamic analysis indicate that Fourier Amplitude Spectra and Arias intensity of earth dam crest under de-noising based records up to 4th level are compatible with main earthquake records. The results indicate that the wavelet-based decomposed earthquake records can be a reliable alternative for main earthquake records in dynamic analysis of embankment dams.